Fans are preparing for the worse as The Vampire Diaries heads into Season 8.

Considering the drop in ratings and departure of Ian Somerhalder, many suspect that the new season will be the last. However, can a reunion between Somerhalder and Dobrev save The Vampire Diaries from cancellation?

Parent Herald is reporting that Dobrev will likely make a cameo this coming season.

As fans will recall, Dobrev left the show back in Season 6 but returned for a special voice-over last season. Although Dobrev’s return hasn’t been announced, her involvement last season makes another appearance more likely.

For his part, Somerhalder confirmed his departure earlier this year. With Damon Salvatore’s storyline ending, there is a strong possibility that Dobrev will reprise her role as Elena to help wrap things up in a fitting manner.

Even creator Julie Plec sounded optimistic that Dobrev would make a return.

During an interview with TV Line, Plec explained that Dobrev expressed an interest in reprising her role when the show reached its end.

“Obviously, things can change throughout time, if the show goes on longer than we expect it to, or if we all collectively decide it would be fun to bring her back earlier, and she wanted to,” Plec stated. “But in my opinion, she was very clear about what she wanted the next step in her life to be, and she’s doing a great job of achieving that. So I’m sticking with my side of the plan, which is to bring her back at the very end.”

Shortly after Somerhalder announced his exit, he took to Twitter to explain how the show isn’t necessarily ending.

“Last weekend I talked to an audience at a Q&A about the end of #TVD and how excited I was to make what I believe – my last year – be as great as possible,” he stated. “Somehow in my infinite wisdom and end-of-season foggy brain, I managed to make it sound like the show was coming to an end.”

Of course, Plec claimed in the past that she would stop producing the show if Somerhalder and Paul Wesley decide to part ways. With Somerhalder out the door, it seems likely that Wesley will be close behind him.

To complicate things even more, Kat Graham is also leaving the series after Season 8.

Whatever ends up happening, Somerhalder cautioned fans to wait until an official announcement is made.

In the end, there is a possibility that Dobrev’s reunion with Somerhalder next season could end up saving the show for one more year. If she doesn’t make a final appearance, fans can only hope that Plec and the writers wrap up the story with a fitting ending.

TVD fans tell us what you think! Will an onscreen reunion between Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev save The Vampire Diaries from cancellation? Let us know in the comments and check out some of Somerhalder and Dobrev’s best kisses from the show below.